1 | A bill to be entitled |
2 | An act relating to unemployment compensation; amending s. |
3 | 213.053, F.S.; increasing the number of employer payroll |
4 | service providers who qualify for access to unemployment |
5 | tax information by filing a memorandum of understanding; |
6 | amending s. 443.031, F.S.; revising provisions relating to |
7 | statutory construction; amending s. 443.036, F.S.; |
8 | revising and providing definitions; revising the term |
9 | "misconduct" to include conduct outside of the workplace |
10 | and additional lapses in behavior; amending s. 443.041, |
11 | F.S.; conforming a cross-reference; amending s. 443.091, |
12 | F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made by the act; |
13 | requiring that an applicant for benefits participate in an |
14 | initial skills review; providing exceptions; requiring the |
15 | administrator or operator of the initial skills review to |
16 | notify specified entities regarding review completion and |
17 | results; amending s. 443.101, F.S.; clarifying "good |
18 | cause" for voluntarily leaving employment; disqualifying a |
19 | person for benefits due to the receipt of severance pay; |
20 | revising provisions relating to the effects of criminal |
21 | acts on eligibility for benefits; amending s. 443.111, |
22 | F.S.; providing a definition; reducing the amount and |
23 | revising the calculation of the number of weeks of a |
24 | claimant's benefit eligibility; amending s. 443.1216, |
25 | F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made by the act; |
26 | amending s. 443.131, F.S.; providing definitions; revising |
27 | an employer's unemployment compensation contribution rate |
28 | by certain factors; amending s. 443.141, F.S.; providing |
29 | an employer payment schedule for 2012, 2013, and 2014 |
30 | contributions; amending s. 443.151, F.S.; revising |
31 | allowable forms of evidence in benefit appeals; revising |
32 | the judicial venue for reviewing commission orders; |
33 | amending s. 443.171, F.S.; specifying that evidence of |
34 | mailing an agency document is based on the date stated on |
35 | the document; reviving, readopting, and amending s. |
36 | 443.1117, F.S., relating to temporary extended benefits; |
37 | providing for retroactive application; establishing |
38 | temporary state extended benefits for weeks of |
39 | unemployment; revising definitions; providing for state |
40 | extended benefits for certain weeks and for periods of |
41 | high unemployment; providing severability; providing |
42 | applicability; providing appropriations for purposes of |
43 | implementation; providing that the act fulfills an |
44 | important state interest; providing effective dates. |
45 |
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46 | Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: |
47 |
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48 | Section 1. Subsection (4) of section 213.053, Florida |
49 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
50 | 213.053 Confidentiality and information sharing.- |
51 | (4) The department, while providing unemployment tax |
52 | collection services under contract with the Agency for Workforce |
53 | Innovation through an interagency agreement pursuant to s. |
54 | 443.1316, may release unemployment tax rate information to the |
55 | agent of an employer who, which agent provides payroll services |
56 | for more than 100 500 employers, pursuant to the terms of a |
57 | memorandum of understanding. The memorandum of understanding |
58 | must state that the agent affirms, subject to the criminal |
59 | penalties contained in ss. 443.171 and 443.1715, that the agent |
60 | will retain the confidentiality of the information, that the |
61 | agent has in effect a power of attorney from the employer which |
62 | permits the agent to obtain unemployment tax rate information, |
63 | and that the agent shall provide the department with a copy of |
64 | the employer's power of attorney upon request. |
65 | Section 2. Section 443.031, Florida Statutes, is amended |
66 | to read: |
67 | 443.031 Rule of liberal construction.-This chapter shall |
68 | be liberally construed to accomplish its purpose to promote |
69 | employment security by increasing opportunities for reemployment |
70 | and to provide, through the accumulation of reserves, for the |
71 | payment of compensation to individuals with respect to their |
72 | unemployment. The Legislature hereby declares its intention to |
73 | provide for carrying out the purposes of this chapter in |
74 | cooperation with the appropriate agencies of other states and of |
75 | the Federal Government as part of a nationwide employment |
76 | security program, and particularly to provide for meeting the |
77 | requirements of Title III, the requirements of the Federal |
78 | Unemployment Tax Act, and the Wagner-Peyser Act of June 6, 1933, |
79 | entitled "An Act to provide for the establishment of a national |
80 | employment system and for cooperation with the states in the |
81 | promotion of such system, and for other purposes," each as |
82 | amended, in order to secure for this state and its citizens the |
83 | grants and privileges available under such acts. All doubts in |
84 | favor of a claimant of unemployment benefits who is unemployed |
85 | through no fault of his or her own. Any doubt as to the proper |
86 | construction of any provision of this chapter shall be resolved |
87 | in favor of conformity with such requirements federal law, |
88 | including, but not limited to, the Federal Unemployment Tax Act, |
89 | the Social Security Act, the Wagner-Peyser Act, and the |
90 | Workforce Investment Act. |
91 | Section 3. Present subsections (26) through (45) of |
92 | section 443.036, Florida Statutes, are renumbered as subsections |
93 | (28) through (47), respectively, new subsections (26) and (27) |
94 | are added to that section, and present subsections (6), (9), |
95 | (29), and (43) of that section are amended, to read: |
96 | 443.036 Definitions.-As used in this chapter, the term: |
97 | (6) "Available for work" means actively seeking and being |
98 | ready and willing to accept suitable work employment. |
99 | (9) "Benefit year" means, for an individual, the 1-year |
100 | period beginning with the first day of the first week for which |
101 | the individual first files a valid claim for benefits and, |
102 | thereafter, the 1-year period beginning with the first day of |
103 | the first week for which the individual next files a valid claim |
104 | for benefits after the termination of his or her last preceding |
105 | benefit year. Each claim for benefits made in accordance with s. |
106 | 443.151(2) is a valid claim under this subsection if the |
107 | individual was paid wages for insured work in accordance with s. |
108 | 443.091(1)(g) and is unemployed as defined in subsection (45) |
109 | (43) at the time of filing the claim. However, the Agency for |
110 | Workforce Innovation may adopt rules providing for the |
111 | establishment of a uniform benefit year for all workers in one |
112 | or more groups or classes of service or within a particular |
113 | industry if the agency determines, after notice to the industry |
114 | and to the workers in the industry and an opportunity to be |
115 | heard in the matter, that those groups or classes of workers in |
116 | a particular industry periodically experience unemployment |
117 | resulting from layoffs or shutdowns for limited periods of time. |
118 | (26) "Individual in continued reporting status" means an |
119 | individual who has been determined to be eligible pursuant to s. |
120 | 443.091 who is reporting to the Agency for Workforce Innovation |
121 | in accordance with s. 443.091(1)(c). |
122 | (27) "Initial skills review" means an online education or |
123 | training program, such as that established under s. 1004.99, |
124 | that is approved by the Agency for Workforce Innovation and |
125 | designed to measure an individual's mastery level of workplace |
126 | skills. |
127 | (31)(29) "Misconduct," irrespective of whether the |
128 | misconduct occurs at the workplace or during working hours, |
129 | includes, but is not limited to, the following, which may not be |
130 | construed in pari materia with each other: |
131 | (a) Conduct demonstrating conscious willful or wanton |
132 | disregard of an employer's interests and found to be a |
133 | deliberate violation or disregard of the reasonable standards of |
134 | behavior which the employer expects has a right to expect of his |
135 | or her employee.; or |
136 | (b) Carelessness or negligence to a degree or recurrence |
137 | that manifests culpability, wrongful intent, or evil design or |
138 | shows an intentional and substantial disregard of the employer's |
139 | interests or of the employee's duties and obligations to his or |
140 | her employer. |
141 | (c) Chronic absenteeism or tardiness in deliberate |
142 | violation of a known policy of the employer or one or more |
143 | unapproved absences following a written reprimand or warning |
144 | relating to more than one unapproved absence. |
145 | (d) A willful and deliberate violation of a standard or |
146 | regulation of this state by an employee of an employer licensed |
147 | or certified by this state, which violation would cause the |
148 | employer to be sanctioned or have its license or certification |
149 | suspended by this state. |
150 | (e) A violation of an employer's rule, unless the claimant |
151 | can demonstrate that: |
152 | 1. He or she did not know, and could not reasonably know, |
153 | of the rule's requirements; |
154 | 2. The rule is not lawful or not reasonably related to the |
155 | job environment and performance; or |
156 | 3. The rule is not fairly or consistently enforced. |
157 | (45)(43) "Unemployment" or "unemployed" means: |
158 | (a) An individual is "totally unemployed" in any week |
159 | during which he or she does not perform any services and for |
160 | which earned income is not payable to him or her. An individual |
161 | is "partially unemployed" in any week of less than full-time |
162 | work if the earned income payable to him or her for that week is |
163 | less than his or her weekly benefit amount. The Agency for |
164 | Workforce Innovation may adopt rules prescribing distinctions in |
165 | the procedures for unemployed individuals based on total |
166 | unemployment, part-time unemployment, partial unemployment of |
167 | individuals attached to their regular jobs, and other forms of |
168 | short-time work. |
169 | (b) An individual's week of unemployment commences only |
170 | after his or her registration with the Agency for Workforce |
171 | Innovation as required in s. 443.091, except as the agency may |
172 | otherwise prescribe by rule. |
173 | Section 4. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section |
174 | 443.041, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
175 | 443.041 Waiver of rights; fees; privileged |
176 | communications.- |
177 | (2) FEES.- |
178 | (b) An attorney at law representing a claimant for |
179 | benefits in any district court of appeal of this state or in the |
180 | Supreme Court of Florida is entitled to counsel fees payable by |
181 | the Agency for Workforce Innovation as set by the court if the |
182 | petition for review or appeal is initiated by the claimant and |
183 | results in a decision awarding more benefits than provided in |
184 | the decision from which appeal was taken. The amount of the fee |
185 | may not exceed 50 percent of the total amount of regular |
186 | benefits permitted under s. 443.111(5)(b)(a) during the benefit |
187 | year. |
188 | Section 5. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section |
189 | 443.091, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
190 | 443.091 Benefit eligibility conditions.- |
191 | (1) An unemployed individual is eligible to receive |
192 | benefits for any week only if the Agency for Workforce |
193 | Innovation finds that: |
194 | (b) She or he has registered with the agency for work and |
195 | subsequently reports to the one-stop career center as directed |
196 | by the regional workforce board for reemployment services. This |
197 | requirement does not apply to persons who are: |
198 | 1. Non-Florida residents; |
199 | 2. On a temporary layoff, as defined in s. 443.036(42); |
200 | 3. Union members who customarily obtain employment through |
201 | a union hiring hall; or |
202 | 4. Claiming benefits under an approved short-time |
203 | compensation plan as provided in s. 443.1116. |
204 | Section 6. Effective August 1, 2011, paragraph (c) of |
205 | subsection (1) of section 443.091, Florida Statutes, is amended |
206 | to read: |
207 | 443.091 Benefit eligibility conditions.- |
208 | (1) An unemployed individual is eligible to receive |
209 | benefits for any week only if the Agency for Workforce |
210 | Innovation finds that: |
211 | (c) To make continued claims for benefits, she or he is |
212 | reporting to the agency in accordance with its rules. |
213 | 1. These rules may not conflict with s. 443.111(1)(b), |
214 | including the requirement that each claimant continue to report |
215 | regardless of any pending appeal relating to her or his |
216 | eligibility or disqualification for benefits. |
217 | 2. An individual in continued reporting status must |
218 | participate in an initial skills review as directed by the |
219 | agency. The failure of the individual to comply with this |
220 | subparagraph will result in the individual being determined |
221 | ineligible for the week in which the noncompliance occurred and |
222 | for any subsequent week of unemployment until the requirement is |
223 | satisfied. However, this subparagraph does not apply if the |
224 | individual is able to affirmatively attest to being unable to |
225 | complete such review due to illiteracy, language barrier, or |
226 | technological impediment. |
227 | 3. The administrator or operator of the initial skills |
228 | review must notify the agency when the individual completes |
229 | participation in the initial skills review. The administrator or |
230 | operator of the initial skills review must also report the |
231 | results of the individual's initial skills review to the |
232 | regional workforce board or the one-stop career center as |
233 | directed by the workforce board for reemployment services. |
234 | Section 7. Effective August 1, 2011, paragraph (a) of |
235 | subsection (1) and subsections (2), (3), and (9) of section |
236 | 443.101, Florida Statutes, are amended, and subsection (12) is |
237 | added to that section, to read: |
238 | 443.101 Disqualification for benefits.-An individual shall |
239 | be disqualified for benefits: |
240 | (1)(a) For the week in which he or she has voluntarily |
241 | left work without good cause attributable to his or her |
242 | employing unit or in which the individual has been discharged by |
243 | the employing unit for misconduct connected with his or her |
244 | work, based on a finding by the Agency for Workforce Innovation. |
245 | As used in this paragraph, the term "work" means any work, |
246 | whether full-time, part-time, or temporary. |
247 | 1. Disqualification for voluntarily quitting continues for |
248 | the full period of unemployment next ensuing after the |
249 | individual has left his or her full-time, part-time, or |
250 | temporary work voluntarily without good cause and until the |
251 | individual has earned income equal to or in excess of 17 times |
252 | his or her weekly benefit amount. As used in this subsection, |
253 | the term "good cause" includes only that cause attributable to |
254 | the employing unit that would compel a reasonable employee to |
255 | cease his or her work or which consists of the individual's |
256 | illness or disability requiring separation from his or her work. |
257 | Any other disqualification may not be imposed. An individual is |
258 | not disqualified under this subsection for voluntarily leaving |
259 | temporary work to return immediately when called to work by the |
260 | permanent employing unit that temporarily terminated his or her |
261 | work within the previous 6 calendar months. An individual is not |
262 | disqualified under this subsection for voluntarily leaving work |
263 | to relocate as a result of his or her military-connected |
264 | spouse's permanent change of station orders, activation orders, |
265 | or unit deployment orders. |
266 | 2. Disqualification for being discharged for misconduct |
267 | connected with his or her work continues for the full period of |
268 | unemployment next ensuing after having been discharged and until |
269 | the individual is reemployed and has earned income of at least |
270 | 17 times his or her weekly benefit amount and for not more than |
271 | 52 weeks that immediately follow that week, as determined by the |
272 | agency in each case according to the circumstances in each case |
273 | or the seriousness of the misconduct, under the agency's rules |
274 | adopted for determinations of disqualification for benefits for |
275 | misconduct. |
276 | 3. If an individual has provided notification to the |
277 | employing unit of his or her intent to voluntarily leave work |
278 | and the employing unit discharges the individual for reasons |
279 | other than misconduct before the date the voluntary quit was to |
280 | take effect, the individual, if otherwise entitled, shall |
281 | receive benefits from the date of the employer's discharge until |
282 | the effective date of his or her voluntary quit. |
283 | 4. If an individual is notified by the employing unit of |
284 | the employer's intent to discharge the individual for reasons |
285 | other than misconduct and the individual quits without good |
286 | cause, as defined in this section, before the date the discharge |
287 | was to take effect, the claimant is ineligible for benefits |
288 | pursuant to s. 443.091(1)(d) for failing to be available for |
289 | work for the week or weeks of unemployment occurring before the |
290 | effective date of the discharge. |
291 | (2) If the Agency for Workforce Innovation finds that the |
292 | individual has failed without good cause to actively seek work, |
293 | apply for available suitable work when directed by the agency or |
294 | the one-stop career center, to accept suitable work when offered |
295 | to him or her, or to return to the individual's customary self- |
296 | employment when directed by the agency, the disqualification |
297 | continues for the full period of unemployment next ensuing after |
298 | he or she failed without good cause to actively seek work, apply |
299 | for available suitable work, to accept suitable work, or to |
300 | return to his or her customary self-employment, under this |
301 | subsection, and until the individual has earned income at least |
302 | 17 times his or her weekly benefit amount. The Agency for |
303 | Workforce Innovation shall by rule adopt criteria for |
304 | determining the "suitability of work," as used in this section. |
305 | The Agency for Workforce Innovation in developing these rules |
306 | shall consider the duration of a claimant's unemployment in |
307 | determining the suitability of work and the suitability of |
308 | proposed rates of compensation for available work. Further, |
309 | after an individual has received 19 25 weeks of benefits in a |
310 | single year, suitable work is a job that pays the minimum wage |
311 | and is 120 percent or more of the weekly benefit amount the |
312 | individual is drawing. |
313 | (a) In determining whether or not any work is suitable for |
314 | an individual, the Agency for Workforce Innovation shall |
315 | consider the degree of risk involved to his or her health, |
316 | safety, and morals; his or her physical fitness and prior |
317 | training; the individual's experience and prior earnings; his or |
318 | her length of unemployment and prospects for securing local work |
319 | in his or her customary occupation; and the distance of the |
320 | available work from his or her residence. |
321 | (b) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, |
322 | work is not deemed suitable and benefits may not be denied under |
323 | this chapter to any otherwise eligible individual for refusing |
324 | to accept new work under any of the following conditions: |
325 | 1. If the position offered is vacant due directly to a |
326 | strike, lockout, or other labor dispute. |
327 | 2. If the wages, hours, or other conditions of the work |
328 | offered are substantially less favorable to the individual than |
329 | those prevailing for similar work in the locality. |
330 | 3. If as a condition of being employed, the individual |
331 | would be required to join a company union or to resign from or |
332 | refrain from joining any bona fide labor organization. |
333 | (c) If the Agency for Workforce Innovation finds that an |
334 | individual was rejected for offered employment as the direct |
335 | result of a positive, confirmed drug test required as a |
336 | condition of employment, the individual is disqualified for |
337 | refusing to accept an offer of suitable work. |
338 | (3) For any week with respect to which he or she is |
339 | receiving or has received remuneration in the form of: |
340 | (a) Wages in lieu of notice. |
341 | (b) Severance pay. The number of weeks that an |
342 | individual's severance pay disqualifies the individual is equal |
343 | to the amount of the severance pay divided by that individual's |
344 | average weekly wage received from the employer that paid the |
345 | severance pay, rounded down to the nearest whole number, |
346 | beginning with the week the individual is separated from |
347 | employment. |
348 | (c)(b)1. Compensation for temporary total disability or |
349 | permanent total disability under the workers' compensation law |
350 | of any state or under a similar law of the United States. |
351 |
|
352 | 2. However, If the remuneration referred to in this subsection |
353 | paragraphs (a) and (b) is less than the benefits that would |
354 | otherwise be due under this chapter, an individual who is |
355 | otherwise eligible he or she is entitled to receive for that |
356 | week, if otherwise eligible, benefits reduced by the amount of |
357 | the remuneration. |
358 | (9) If the individual was terminated from his or her work |
359 | for violation of any criminal law punishable by imprisonment, or |
360 | for any dishonest act, in connection with his or her work, as |
361 | follows: |
362 | (a) If the Agency for Workforce Innovation or the |
363 | Unemployment Appeals Commission finds that the individual was |
364 | terminated from his or her work for violation of any criminal |
365 | law, under any jurisdiction, which was punishable by |
366 | imprisonment in connection with his or her work, and the |
367 | individual was convicted found guilty of the offense, made an |
368 | admission of guilt in a court of law, or entered a plea of |
369 | guilty or nolo contendere no contest, the individual is not |
370 | entitled to unemployment benefits for up to 52 weeks, pursuant |
371 | to under rules adopted by the agency for Workforce Innovation, |
372 | and until he or she has earned income of at least 17 times his |
373 | or her weekly benefit amount. If, before an adjudication of |
374 | guilt, an admission of guilt, or a plea of nolo contendere no |
375 | contest, the employer proves by competent substantial evidence |
376 | to shows the agency for Workforce Innovation that the arrest was |
377 | due to a crime against the employer or the employer's business, |
378 | customers, or invitees and, after considering all the evidence, |
379 | the Agency for Workforce Innovation finds misconduct in |
380 | connection with the individual's work, the individual is not |
381 | entitled to unemployment benefits. |
382 | (b) If the Agency for Workforce Innovation or the |
383 | Unemployment Appeals Commission finds that the individual was |
384 | terminated from work for any dishonest act in connection with |
385 | his or her work, the individual is not entitled to unemployment |
386 | benefits for up to 52 weeks, under rules adopted by the Agency |
387 | for Workforce Innovation, and until he or she has earned income |
388 | of at least 17 times his or her weekly benefit amount. In |
389 | addition, if the employer terminates an individual as a result |
390 | of a dishonest act in connection with his or her work and the |
391 | Agency for Workforce Innovation finds misconduct in connection |
392 | with his or her work, the individual is not entitled to |
393 | unemployment benefits. |
394 |
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395 | With respect to an individual disqualified for benefits, the |
396 | account of the terminating employer, if the employer is in the |
397 | base period, is noncharged at the time the disqualification is |
398 | imposed. |
399 | (12) For any week in which the individual is unavailable |
400 | for work due to incarceration or imprisonment. |
401 | Section 8. Effective August 1, 2011, subsection (5) of |
402 | section 443.111, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
403 | 443.111 Payment of benefits.- |
404 | (5) DURATION OF BENEFITS.- |
405 | (a) As used in this section, the term "Florida average |
406 | unemployment rate" means the average of the three months for the |
407 | most recent third calendar year quarter of the seasonally |
408 | adjusted statewide unemployment rates as published by the Agency |
409 | for Workforce Innovation. |
410 | (b)1. Each otherwise eligible individual is entitled |
411 | during any benefit year to a total amount of benefits equal to |
412 | 25 percent of the total wages in his or her base period, not to |
413 | exceed $5,500 or the product arrived at by multiplying the |
414 | weekly benefit amount with the number of weeks determined in |
415 | paragraph (c), whichever is less $7,150. However, the total |
416 | amount of benefits, if not a multiple of $1, is rounded downward |
417 | to the nearest full dollar amount. These benefits are payable at |
418 | a weekly rate no greater than the weekly benefit amount. |
419 | (c) For claims submitted during a calendar year, the |
420 | duration of benefits is limited to: |
421 | 1. 12 weeks if the Florida average unemployment rate is at |
422 | or below 5 percent. |
423 | 2. An additional week in addition to the 12 weeks for each |
424 | 0.5 percent increment in the Florida average unemployment rate |
425 | above 5 percent. |
426 | 3. Up to a maximum of 20 weeks if the Florida average |
427 | unemployment rate equals or exceeds 9 percent. |
428 | (d)2. For the purposes of this subsection, wages are |
429 | counted as "wages for insured work" for benefit purposes with |
430 | respect to any benefit year only if the benefit year begins |
431 | after the date the employing unit by whom the wages were paid |
432 | has satisfied the conditions of this chapter for becoming an |
433 | employer. |
434 | (e)(b) If the remuneration of an individual is not based |
435 | upon a fixed period or duration of time or if the individual's |
436 | wages are paid at irregular intervals or in a manner that does |
437 | not extend regularly over the period of employment, the wages |
438 | for any week or for any calendar quarter for the purpose of |
439 | computing an individual's right to employment benefits only are |
440 | determined in the manner prescribed by rule. These rules, to the |
441 | extent practicable, must secure results reasonably similar to |
442 | those that would prevail if the individual were paid her or his |
443 | wages at regular intervals. |
444 | Section 9. Paragraph (f) of subsection (13) of section |
445 | 443.1216, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
446 | 443.1216 Employment.-Employment, as defined in s. 443.036, |
447 | is subject to this chapter under the following conditions: |
448 | (13) The following are exempt from coverage under this |
449 | chapter: |
450 | (f) Service performed in the employ of a public employer |
451 | as defined in s. 443.036, except as provided in subsection (2), |
452 | and service performed in the employ of an instrumentality of a |
453 | public employer as described in s. 443.036(37)(35)(b) or (c), to |
454 | the extent that the instrumentality is immune under the United |
455 | States Constitution from the tax imposed by s. 3301 of the |
456 | Internal Revenue Code for that service. |
457 | Section 10. Effective upon this act becoming a law and |
458 | retroactive to June 30, 2010, for tax rates effective on or |
459 | after January 1, 2011, paragraphs (b) and (e) of subsection (3) |
460 | of section 443.131, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
461 | 443.131 Contributions.- |
462 | (3) VARIATION OF CONTRIBUTION RATES BASED ON BENEFIT |
463 | EXPERIENCE.- |
464 | (b) Benefit ratio.- |
465 | 1. As used in this paragraph, the term "annual payroll" |
466 | means the calendar quarter taxable payroll reported to the tax |
467 | collection service provider for the quarters used in computing |
468 | the benefit ratio. The term does not include a penalty resulting |
469 | from the untimely filing of required wage and tax reports. All |
470 | of the taxable payroll reported to the tax collection service |
471 | provider by the end of the quarter preceding the quarter for |
472 | which the contribution rate is to be computed must be used in |
473 | the computation. |
474 | 2. As used in this paragraph, the term "benefits charged |
475 | to the employer's employment record" means the amount of |
476 | benefits paid to individuals multiplied by: |
477 | a. 1.0 for benefits paid prior to July 1, 2007. |
478 | b. 0.9 for benefits paid during the period beginning on |
479 | July 1, 2007, and ending March 31, 2011. |
480 | c. 1.0 for benefits paid after March 31, 2011. |
481 | 3.2. For each calendar year, the tax collection service |
482 | provider shall compute a benefit ratio for each employer whose |
483 | employment record was chargeable for benefits during the 12 |
484 | consecutive quarters ending June 30 of the calendar year |
485 | preceding the calendar year for which the benefit ratio is |
486 | computed. An employer's benefit ratio is the quotient obtained |
487 | by dividing the total benefits charged to the employer's |
488 | employment record during the 3-year period ending June 30 of the |
489 | preceding calendar year by the total of the employer's annual |
490 | payroll for the 3-year period ending June 30 of the preceding |
491 | calendar year. The benefit ratio shall be computed to the fifth |
492 | decimal place and rounded to the fourth decimal place. |
493 | 4.3. The tax collection service provider shall compute a |
494 | benefit ratio for each employer who was not previously eligible |
495 | under subparagraph 3. 2., whose contribution rate is set at the |
496 | initial contribution rate in paragraph (2)(a), and whose |
497 | employment record was chargeable for benefits during at least 8 |
498 | calendar quarters immediately preceding the calendar quarter for |
499 | which the benefit ratio is computed. The employer's benefit |
500 | ratio is the quotient obtained by dividing the total benefits |
501 | charged to the employer's employment record during the first 6 |
502 | of the 8 completed calendar quarters immediately preceding the |
503 | calendar quarter for which the benefit ratio is computed by the |
504 | total of the employer's annual payroll during the first 7 of the |
505 | 9 completed calendar quarters immediately preceding the calendar |
506 | quarter for which the benefit ratio is computed. The benefit |
507 | ratio shall be computed to the fifth decimal place and rounded |
508 | to the fourth decimal place and applies for the remainder of the |
509 | calendar year. The employer must subsequently be rated on an |
510 | annual basis using up to 12 calendar quarters of benefits |
511 | charged and up to 12 calendar quarters of annual payroll. That |
512 | employer's benefit ratio is the quotient obtained by dividing |
513 | the total benefits charged to the employer's employment record |
514 | by the total of the employer's annual payroll during the |
515 | quarters used in his or her first computation plus the |
516 | subsequent quarters reported through June 30 of the preceding |
517 | calendar year. Each subsequent calendar year, the rate shall be |
518 | computed under subparagraph 3. 2. The tax collection service |
519 | provider shall assign a variation from the standard rate of |
520 | contributions in paragraph (c) on a quarterly basis to each |
521 | eligible employer in the same manner as an assignment for a |
522 | calendar year under paragraph (e). |
523 | (e) Assignment of variations from the standard rate.- |
524 | 1. As used in this paragraph, the terms "total benefit |
525 | payments," "benefits paid to an individual," and "benefits |
526 | charged to the employment record of an employer" mean the amount |
527 | of benefits paid to individuals multiplied by: |
528 | a. 1.0 for benefits paid prior to July 1, 2007. |
529 | b. 0.9 for benefits paid during the period beginning on |
530 | July 1, 2007, and ending March 31, 2011. |
531 | c. 1.0 for benefits paid after March 31, 2011. |
532 | 2. For the calculation of contribution rates effective |
533 | January 1, 2010, and thereafter: |
534 | a.1. The tax collection service provider shall assign a |
535 | variation from the standard rate of contributions for each |
536 | calendar year to each eligible employer. In determining the |
537 | contribution rate, varying from the standard rate to be assigned |
538 | each employer, adjustment factors computed under sub-sub- |
539 | subparagraphs (I)-(IV) sub-subparagraphs a.-d. are added to the |
540 | benefit ratio. This addition shall be accomplished in two steps |
541 | by adding a variable adjustment factor and a final adjustment |
542 | factor. The sum of these adjustment factors computed under sub- |
543 | sub-subparagraphs (I)-(IV) sub-subparagraphs a.-d. shall first |
544 | be algebraically summed. The sum of these adjustment factors |
545 | shall next be divided by a gross benefit ratio determined as |
546 | follows: Total benefit payments for the 3-year period described |
547 | in subparagraph (b)3. (b)2. are charged to employers eligible |
548 | for a variation from the standard rate, minus excess payments |
549 | for the same period, divided by taxable payroll entering into |
550 | the computation of individual benefit ratios for the calendar |
551 | year for which the contribution rate is being computed. The |
552 | ratio of the sum of the adjustment factors computed under sub- |
553 | sub-subparagraphs (I)-(IV) sub-subparagraphs a.-d. to the gross |
554 | benefit ratio is multiplied by each individual benefit ratio |
555 | that is less than the maximum contribution rate to obtain |
556 | variable adjustment factors; except that if the sum of an |
557 | employer's individual benefit ratio and variable adjustment |
558 | factor exceeds the maximum contribution rate, the variable |
559 | adjustment factor is reduced in order for the sum to equal the |
560 | maximum contribution rate. The variable adjustment factor for |
561 | each of these employers is multiplied by his or her taxable |
562 | payroll entering into the computation of his or her benefit |
563 | ratio. The sum of these products is divided by the taxable |
564 | payroll of the employers who entered into the computation of |
565 | their benefit ratios. The resulting ratio is subtracted from the |
566 | sum of the adjustment factors computed under sub-sub- |
567 | subparagraphs (I)-(IV) sub-subparagraphs a.-d. to obtain the |
568 | final adjustment factor. The variable adjustment factors and the |
569 | final adjustment factor must be computed to five decimal places |
570 | and rounded to the fourth decimal place. This final adjustment |
571 | factor is added to the variable adjustment factor and benefit |
572 | ratio of each employer to obtain each employer's contribution |
573 | rate. An employer's contribution rate may not, however, be |
574 | rounded to less than 0.1 percent. |
575 | (I)a. An adjustment factor for noncharge benefits is |
576 | computed to the fifth decimal place and rounded to the fourth |
577 | decimal place by dividing the amount of noncharge benefits |
578 | during the 3-year period described in subparagraph (b)3. (b)2. |
579 | by the taxable payroll of employers eligible for a variation |
580 | from the standard rate who have a benefit ratio for the current |
581 | year which is less than the maximum contribution rate. For |
582 | purposes of computing this adjustment factor, the taxable |
583 | payroll of these employers is the taxable payrolls for the 3 |
584 | years ending June 30 of the current calendar year as reported to |
585 | the tax collection service provider by September 30 of the same |
586 | calendar year. As used in this sub-sub-subparagraph sub- |
587 | subparagraph, the term "noncharge benefits" means benefits paid |
588 | to an individual from the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund, |
589 | but which were not charged to the employment record of any |
590 | employer. |
591 | (II)b. An adjustment factor for excess payments is |
592 | computed to the fifth decimal place, and rounded to the fourth |
593 | decimal place by dividing the total excess payments during the |
594 | 3-year period described in subparagraph (b)3. (b)2. by the |
595 | taxable payroll of employers eligible for a variation from the |
596 | standard rate who have a benefit ratio for the current year |
597 | which is less than the maximum contribution rate. For purposes |
598 | of computing this adjustment factor, the taxable payroll of |
599 | these employers is the same figure used to compute the |
600 | adjustment factor for noncharge benefits under sub-sub- |
601 | subparagraph (I) sub-subparagraph a. As used in this sub- |
602 | subparagraph, the term "excess payments" means the amount of |
603 | benefits charged to the employment record of an employer during |
604 | the 3-year period described in subparagraph (b)3. (b)2., less |
605 | the product of the maximum contribution rate and the employer's |
606 | taxable payroll for the 3 years ending June 30 of the current |
607 | calendar year as reported to the tax collection service provider |
608 | by September 30 of the same calendar year. As used in this sub- |
609 | sub-subparagraph sub-subparagraph, the term "total excess |
610 | payments" means the sum of the individual employer excess |
611 | payments for those employers that were eligible for assignment |
612 | of a contribution rate different from the standard rate. |
613 | (III)c. With respect to computing a positive adjustment |
614 | factor: |
615 | (A)(I) Beginning January 1, 2012, if the balance of the |
616 | Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund on September 30 of the |
617 | calendar year immediately preceding the calendar year for which |
618 | the contribution rate is being computed is less than 4 percent |
619 | of the taxable payrolls for the year ending June 30 as reported |
620 | to the tax collection service provider by September 30 of that |
621 | calendar year, a positive adjustment factor shall be computed. |
622 | The positive adjustment factor is computed annually to the fifth |
623 | decimal place and rounded to the fourth decimal place by |
624 | dividing the sum of the total taxable payrolls for the year |
625 | ending June 30 of the current calendar year as reported to the |
626 | tax collection service provider by September 30 of that calendar |
627 | year into a sum equal to one-third of the difference between the |
628 | balance of the fund as of September 30 of that calendar year and |
629 | the sum of 5 percent of the total taxable payrolls for that |
630 | year. The positive adjustment factor remains in effect for |
631 | subsequent years until the balance of the Unemployment |
632 | Compensation Trust Fund as of September 30 of the year |
633 | immediately preceding the effective date of the contribution |
634 | rate equals or exceeds 5 percent of the taxable payrolls for the |
635 | year ending June 30 of the current calendar year as reported to |
636 | the tax collection service provider by September 30 of that |
637 | calendar year. |
638 | (B)(II) Beginning January 1, 2015, and for each year |
639 | thereafter, the positive adjustment shall be computed by |
640 | dividing the sum of the total taxable payrolls for the year |
641 | ending June 30 of the current calendar year as reported to the |
642 | tax collection service provider by September 30 of that calendar |
643 | year into a sum equal to one-fourth of the difference between |
644 | the balance of the fund as of September 30 of that calendar year |
645 | and the sum of 5 percent of the total taxable payrolls for that |
646 | year. The positive adjustment factor remains in effect for |
647 | subsequent years until the balance of the Unemployment |
648 | Compensation Trust Fund as of September 30 of the year |
649 | immediately preceding the effective date of the contribution |
650 | rate equals or exceeds 4 percent of the taxable payrolls for the |
651 | year ending June 30 of the current calendar year as reported to |
652 | the tax collection service provider by September 30 of that |
653 | calendar year. |
654 | (IV)d. If, beginning January 1, 2015, and each year |
655 | thereafter, the balance of the Unemployment Compensation Trust |
656 | Fund as of September 30 of the year immediately preceding the |
657 | calendar year for which the contribution rate is being computed |
658 | exceeds 5 percent of the taxable payrolls for the year ending |
659 | June 30 of the current calendar year as reported to the tax |
660 | collection service provider by September 30 of that calendar |
661 | year, a negative adjustment factor must be computed. The |
662 | negative adjustment factor shall be computed annually beginning |
663 | on January 1, 2015, and each year thereafter, to the fifth |
664 | decimal place and rounded to the fourth decimal place by |
665 | dividing the sum of the total taxable payrolls for the year |
666 | ending June 30 of the current calendar year as reported to the |
667 | tax collection service provider by September 30 of the calendar |
668 | year into a sum equal to one-fourth of the difference between |
669 | the balance of the fund as of September 30 of the current |
670 | calendar year and 5 percent of the total taxable payrolls of |
671 | that year. The negative adjustment factor remains in effect for |
672 | subsequent years until the balance of the Unemployment |
673 | Compensation Trust Fund as of September 30 of the year |
674 | immediately preceding the effective date of the contribution |
675 | rate is less than 5 percent, but more than 4 percent of the |
676 | taxable payrolls for the year ending June 30 of the current |
677 | calendar year as reported to the tax collection service provider |
678 | by September 30 of that calendar year. The negative adjustment |
679 | authorized by this section is suspended in any calendar year in |
680 | which repayment of the principal amount of an advance received |
681 | from the federal Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund under 42 |
682 | U.S.C. s. 1321 is due to the Federal Government. |
683 | (V)e. The maximum contribution rate that may be assigned |
684 | to an employer is 5.4 percent, except employers participating in |
685 | an approved short-time compensation plan may be assigned a |
686 | maximum contribution rate that is 1 percent greater than the |
687 | maximum contribution rate for other employers in any calendar |
688 | year in which short-time compensation benefits are charged to |
689 | the employer's employment record. |
690 | (VI)f. As used in this subsection, "taxable payroll" shall |
691 | be determined by excluding any part of the remuneration paid to |
692 | an individual by an employer for employment during a calendar |
693 | year in excess of the first $7,000. Beginning January 1, 2012, |
694 | "taxable payroll" shall be determined by excluding any part of |
695 | the remuneration paid to an individual by an employer for |
696 | employment during a calendar year as described in s. |
697 | 443.1217(2). For the purposes of the employer rate calculation |
698 | that will take effect in January 1, 2012, and in January 1, |
699 | 2013, the tax collection service provider shall use the data |
700 | available for taxable payroll from 2009 based on excluding any |
701 | part of the remuneration paid to an individual by an employer |
702 | for employment during a calendar year in excess of the first |
703 | $7,000, and from 2010 and 2011, the data available for taxable |
704 | payroll based on excluding any part of the remuneration paid to |
705 | an individual by an employer for employment during a calendar |
706 | year in excess of the first $8,500. |
707 | b.2. If the transfer of an employer's employment record to |
708 | an employing unit under paragraph (f) which, before the |
709 | transfer, was an employer, the tax collection service provider |
710 | shall recompute a benefit ratio for the successor employer based |
711 | on the combined employment records and reassign an appropriate |
712 | contribution rate to the successor employer effective on the |
713 | first day of the calendar quarter immediately after the |
714 | effective date of the transfer. |
715 | Section 11. Present paragraph (f) of subsection (1) of |
716 | section 443.141, Florida Statutes, is redesignated as paragraph |
717 | (g), and new paragraph (f) is added to that subsection to read: |
718 | 443.141 Collection of contributions and reimbursements.- |
719 | (1) PAST DUE CONTRIBUTIONS AND REIMBURSEMENTS; DELINQUENT, |
720 | ERRONEOUS, INCOMPLETE, OR INSUFFICIENT REPORTS.- |
721 | (f) Payments for 2012, 2013, and 2014 Contributions.-For |
722 | an annual administrative fee not to exceed $5, a contributing |
723 | employer may pay its quarterly contributions due for wages paid |
724 | in the first three quarters of 2012, 2013, and 2014 in equal |
725 | installments if those contributions are paid as follows: |
726 | 1. For contributions due for wages paid in the first |
727 | quarter of each year, one-fourth of the contributions due must |
728 | be paid on or before April 30, one-fourth must be paid on or |
729 | before July 31, one-fourth must be paid on or before October 31, |
730 | and one-fourth must be paid on or before December 31. |
731 | 2. In addition to the payments specified in subparagraph |
732 | 1., for contributions due for wages paid in the second quarter |
733 | of each year, one-third of the contributions due must be paid on |
734 | or before July 31, one-third must be paid on or before October |
735 | 31, and one-third must be paid on or before December 31. |
736 | 3. In addition to the payments specified in subparagraphs |
737 | 1. and 2., for contributions due for wages paid in the third |
738 | quarter of each year, one-half of the contributions due must be |
739 | paid on or before October 31, and one-half must be paid on or |
740 | before December 31. |
741 | 4. The annual administrative fee assessed for electing to |
742 | pay under the installment method shall be collected at the time |
743 | the employer makes the first installment payment each year. The |
744 | fee shall be segregated from the payment and deposited into the |
745 | Operating Trust Fund of the Department of Revenue. |
746 | 5. Interest does not accrue on any contribution that |
747 | becomes due for wages paid in the first three quarters of each |
748 | year if the employer pays the contribution in accordance with |
749 | subparagraphs 1.-4. Interest and fees continue to accrue on |
750 | prior delinquent contributions and commence accruing on all |
751 | contributions due for wages paid in the first three quarters of |
752 | each year which are not paid in accordance with subparagraphs |
753 | 1.-3. Penalties may be assessed in accordance with this chapter. |
754 | The contributions due for wages paid in the fourth quarter of |
755 | 2012, 2013, and 2014 are not affected by this paragraph and are |
756 | due and payable in accordance with this chapter. |
757 | Section 12. Paragraphs (b) and (d) of subsection (3) and |
758 | paragraphs (b) and (e) of subsection (4) of section 443.151, |
759 | Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
760 | 443.151 Procedure concerning claims.- |
761 | (3) DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY.- |
762 | (b) Monetary determinations.-In addition to the notice of |
763 | claim, the Agency for Workforce Innovation must shall also |
764 | promptly provide an initial monetary determination to the |
765 | claimant and each base period employer whose account is subject |
766 | to being charged for its respective share of benefits on the |
767 | claim. The monetary determination must include a statement of |
768 | whether and in what amount the claimant is entitled to benefits, |
769 | and, in the event of a denial, must state the reasons for the |
770 | denial. A monetary determination for the first week of a benefit |
771 | year must also include a statement of whether the claimant was |
772 | paid the wages required under s. 443.091(1)(g) and, if so, the |
773 | first day of the benefit year, the claimant's weekly benefit |
774 | amount, and the maximum total amount of benefits payable to the |
775 | claimant for a benefit year. The monetary determination is final |
776 | unless within 20 days after the mailing of the notices to the |
777 | parties' last known addresses, or in lieu of mailing, within 20 |
778 | days after the delivery of the notices, an appeal or written |
779 | request for reconsideration is filed by the claimant or other |
780 | party entitled to notice. The agency may adopt rules as |
781 | necessary to implement the processes described in this paragraph |
782 | relating to notices of monetary determinations and the appeals |
783 | or reconsideration requests filed in response to such notices. |
784 | (d) Determinations in labor dispute cases.-If a Whenever |
785 | any claim involves a labor dispute described in s. 443.101(4), |
786 | the Agency for Workforce Innovation shall promptly assign the |
787 | claim to a special examiner who shall make a determination on |
788 | the issues involving unemployment due to the labor dispute. The |
789 | special examiner shall make the determination after an |
790 | investigation, as necessary. The claimant or another party |
791 | entitled to notice of the determination may appeal a |
792 | determination under subsection (4). |
793 | (4) APPEALS.- |
794 | (b) Filing and hearing.- |
795 | 1. The claimant or any other party entitled to notice of a |
796 | determination may appeal an adverse determination to an appeals |
797 | referee within 20 days after the date of mailing of the notice |
798 | to her or his last known address or, if the notice is not |
799 | mailed, within 20 days after the date of delivery of the notice. |
800 | 2. Unless the appeal is untimely or withdrawn or review is |
801 | initiated by the commission, the appeals referee, after mailing |
802 | all parties and attorneys of record a notice of hearing at least |
803 | 10 days before the date of hearing, notwithstanding the 14-day |
804 | notice requirement in s. 120.569(2)(b), may only affirm, modify, |
805 | or reverse the determination. An appeal may not be withdrawn |
806 | without the permission of the appeals referee. |
807 | 3. However, when an appeal appears to have been filed |
808 | after the permissible time limit, the Office of Appeals may |
809 | issue an order to show cause to the appellant, requiring the |
810 | appellant to show why the appeal should not be dismissed as |
811 | untimely. If the appellant does not, within 15 days after the |
812 | mailing date of the order to show cause, provide written |
813 | evidence of timely filing or good cause for failure to appeal |
814 | timely, the appeal shall be dismissed. |
815 | 4. When an appeal involves a question of whether services |
816 | were performed by a claimant in employment or for an employer, |
817 | the referee must give special notice of the question and of the |
818 | pendency of the appeal to the employing unit and to the Agency |
819 | for Workforce Innovation, both of which become parties to the |
820 | proceeding. |
821 | 5.a. Any part of the evidence may be received in written |
822 | form, and all testimony of parties and witnesses shall be made |
823 | under oath. |
824 | b. Irrelevant, immaterial, or unduly repetitious evidence |
825 | shall be excluded, but all other evidence of a type commonly |
826 | relied upon by reasonably prudent persons in the conduct of |
827 | their affairs shall be admissible, whether or not such evidence |
828 | would be admissible in a trial in the courts of the state. |
829 | c. Hearsay evidence may be used for the purpose of |
830 | supplementing or explaining other evidence, or to support a |
831 | finding if it would be admissible over objection in civil |
832 | actions. Notwithstanding s. 120.57(1)(c), hearsay evidence may |
833 | support a finding of fact if: |
834 | (I) The party against whom it is offered has a reasonable |
835 | opportunity to review such evidence prior to the hearing; and |
836 | (II) The appeals referee or special deputy determines, |
837 | after considering all relevant facts and circumstances, that the |
838 | evidence is trustworthy and probative and that the interests of |
839 | justice will best be served by its admission into evidence. |
840 | 6.5. The parties must be notified promptly of the |
841 | referee's decision. The referee's decision is final unless |
842 | further review is initiated under paragraph (c) within 20 days |
843 | after the date of mailing notice of the decision to the party's |
844 | last known address or, in lieu of mailing, within 20 days after |
845 | the delivery of the notice. |
846 | (e) Judicial review.-Orders of the commission entered |
847 | under paragraph (c) are subject to review only by notice of |
848 | appeal in the district court of appeal in the appellate district |
849 | in which a claimant resides or the job separation arose or in |
850 | the appellate district where the order was issued the issues |
851 | involved were decided by an appeals referee. However, if the |
852 | notice of appeal is filed solely with the commission, the appeal |
853 | shall be filed in the district court of appeal in the appellate |
854 | district in which the order was issued. Notwithstanding chapter |
855 | 120, the commission is a party respondent to every such |
856 | proceeding. The Agency for Workforce Innovation may initiate |
857 | judicial review of orders in the same manner and to the same |
858 | extent as any other party. |
859 | Section 13. Section (10) is added to section 443.171, |
860 | Florida Statutes, to read: |
861 | 443.171 Agency for Workforce Innovation and commission; |
862 | powers and duties; records and reports; proceedings; state- |
863 | federal cooperation.- |
864 | (10) EVIDENCE OF MAILING.-The existence of a mailing date |
865 | on any notice, determination, decision, order, or other document |
866 | mailed by the Agency for Workforce Innovation or its tax |
867 | collection service provider pursuant to this chapter creates a |
868 | rebuttable presumption that such notice, determination, order, |
869 | or other document was mailed on the date indicated. |
870 | Section 14. Notwithstanding the expiration date contained |
871 | in section 1 of chapter 2010-90, Laws of Florida, operating |
872 | retroactive to June 2, 2010, and expiring January 4, 2012, |
873 | section 443.1117, Florida Statutes, is revived, readopted, and |
874 | amended to read: |
875 | 443.1117 Temporary extended benefits.- |
876 | (1) APPLICABILITY OF EXTENDED BENEFITS STATUTE.-Except if |
877 | the result is inconsistent with other provisions of this |
878 | section, s. 443.1115(2), (3), (4), (6), and (7) apply to all |
879 | claims covered by this section. |
880 | (2) DEFINITIONS.-As used in For the purposes of this |
881 | section, the term: |
882 | (a) "Regular benefits" and "extended benefits" have the |
883 | same meaning as in s. 443.1115. |
884 | (b) "Eligibility period" means the weeks in an |
885 | individual's benefit year or emergency benefit period which |
886 | begin in an extended benefit period and, if the benefit year or |
887 | emergency benefit period ends within that extended benefit |
888 | period, any subsequent weeks beginning in that period. |
889 | (c) "Emergency benefits" means Emergency Unemployment |
890 | Compensation paid pursuant to Pub. L. No. 110-252, Pub. L. No. |
891 | 110-449, Pub. L. No. 111-5, Pub. L. No. 111-92, Pub. L. No. 111- |
892 | 118, Pub. L. No. 111-144, and Pub. L. No. 111-157, Pub. L. No. |
893 | 111-205, and Pub. L. No. 111-312. |
894 | (d) "Extended benefit period" means a period that: |
895 | 1. Begins with the third week after a week for which there |
896 | is a state "on" indicator; and |
897 | 2. Ends with any of the following weeks, whichever occurs |
898 | later: |
899 | a. The third week after the first week for which there is |
900 | a state "off" indicator; or |
901 | b. The 13th consecutive week of that period. |
902 |
|
903 | However, an extended benefit period may not begin by reason of a |
904 | state "on" indicator before the 14th week after the end of a |
905 | prior extended benefit period that was in effect for this state. |
906 | (e) "Emergency benefit period" means the period during |
907 | which an individual receives emergency benefits as defined in |
908 | paragraph (c). |
909 | (f) "Exhaustee" means an individual who, for any week of |
910 | unemployment in her or his eligibility period: |
911 | 1. Has received, before that week, all of the regular |
912 | benefits and emergency benefits, if any, available under this |
913 | chapter or any other law, including dependents' allowances and |
914 | benefits payable to federal civilian employees and ex- |
915 | servicemembers under 5 U.S.C. ss. 8501-8525, in the current |
916 | benefit year or emergency benefit period that includes that |
917 | week. For the purposes of this subparagraph, an individual has |
918 | received all of the regular benefits and emergency benefits, if |
919 | any, available even if although, as a result of a pending appeal |
920 | for wages paid for insured work which were not considered in the |
921 | original monetary determination in the benefit year, she or he |
922 | may subsequently be determined to be entitled to added regular |
923 | benefits; |
924 | 2. Had a benefit year that which expired before that week, |
925 | and was paid no, or insufficient, wages for insured work on the |
926 | basis of which she or he could establish a new benefit year that |
927 | includes that week; and |
928 | 3.a. Has no right to unemployment benefits or allowances |
929 | under the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act or other federal |
930 | laws as specified in regulations issued by the United States |
931 | Secretary of Labor; and |
932 | b. Has not received and is not seeking unemployment |
933 | benefits under the unemployment compensation law of Canada; but |
934 | if an individual is seeking those benefits and the appropriate |
935 | agency finally determines that she or he is not entitled to |
936 | benefits under that law, she or he is considered an exhaustee. |
937 | (g) "State 'on' indicator" means, with respect to weeks of |
938 | unemployment beginning on or after February 1, 2009, and ending |
939 | on or before December 10, 2011 May 8, 2010, the occurrence of a |
940 | week in which the average total unemployment rate, seasonally |
941 | adjusted, as determined by the United States Secretary of Labor, |
942 | for the most recent 3 months for which data for all states are |
943 | published by the United States Department of Labor: |
944 | 1. Equals or exceeds 110 percent of the average of those |
945 | rates for the corresponding 3-month period ending in any or all |
946 | each of the preceding 3 2 calendar years; and |
947 | 2. Equals or exceeds 6.5 percent. |
948 | (h) "High unemployment period" means, with respect to |
949 | weeks of unemployment beginning on or after February 1, 2009, |
950 | and ending on or before December 10, 2011 May 8, 2010, any week |
951 | in which the average total unemployment rate, seasonally |
952 | adjusted, as determined by the United States Secretary of Labor, |
953 | for the most recent 3 months for which data for all states are |
954 | published by the United States Department of Labor: |
955 | 1. Equals or exceeds 110 percent of the average of those |
956 | rates for the corresponding 3-month period ending in any or all |
957 | each of the preceding 3 2 calendar years; and |
958 | 2. Equals or exceeds 8 percent. |
959 | (i) "State 'off' indicator" means the occurrence of a week |
960 | in which there is no state "on" indicator or which does not |
961 | constitute a high unemployment period. |
962 | (3) TOTAL EXTENDED BENEFIT AMOUNT.-Except as provided in |
963 | subsection (4): |
964 | (a) For any week for which there is an "on" indicator |
965 | pursuant to paragraph (2)(g), the total extended benefit amount |
966 | payable to an eligible individual for her or his applicable |
967 | benefit year is the lesser of: |
968 | 1. Fifty percent of the total regular benefits payable |
969 | under this chapter in the applicable benefit year; or |
970 | 2. Thirteen times the weekly benefit amount payable under |
971 | this chapter for a week of total unemployment in the applicable |
972 | benefit year. |
973 | (b) For any high unemployment period, the total extended |
974 | benefit amount payable to an eligible individual for her or his |
975 | applicable benefit year is the lesser of: |
976 | 1. Eighty percent of the total regular benefits payable |
977 | under this chapter in the applicable benefit year; or |
978 | 2. Twenty times the weekly benefit amount payable under |
979 | this chapter for a week of total unemployment in the applicable |
980 | benefit year. |
981 | (4) EFFECT ON TRADE READJUSTMENT.-Notwithstanding any |
982 | other provision of this chapter, if the benefit year of an |
983 | individual ends within an extended benefit period, the number of |
984 | weeks of extended benefits the individual is entitled to receive |
985 | in that extended benefit period for weeks of unemployment |
986 | beginning after the end of the benefit year, except as provided |
987 | in this section, is reduced, but not to below zero, by the |
988 | number of weeks for which the individual received, within that |
989 | benefit year, trade readjustment allowances under the Trade Act |
990 | of 1974, as amended. |
991 | Section 15. If any provision of this act or its |
992 | application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the |
993 | invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of |
994 | the act which can be given effect without the invalid provision |
995 | or application, and to this end the provisions of this act are |
996 | severable. |
997 | Section 16. The provisions of s. 443.1117, Florida |
998 | Statutes, as revived, readopted, and amended by this act, apply |
999 | only to claims for weeks of unemployment in which an exhaustee |
1000 | establishes entitlement to extended benefits pursuant to that |
1001 | section which are established for the period between December |
1002 | 17, 2010, and January 4, 2012. |
1003 | Section 17. For the 2011-2012 fiscal year, the sum of |
1004 | $242,300 in nonrecurring funds is appropriated from the |
1005 | Operating Trust Fund to the Administration of Unemployment |
1006 | Compensation Tax Special Category in the Department of Revenue |
1007 | to be used to implement this act. In addition, for the 2010-2011 |
1008 | fiscal year, the sum of $256,891 in nonrecurring funds is |
1009 | appropriated from the Employment Security Administration Trust |
1010 | Fund in the contracted services appropriation category to the |
1011 | Agency for Workforce Innovation to be used to contract with the |
1012 | Department of Revenue for tax-related services as required to |
1013 | implement this act. |
1014 | Section 18. The Legislature finds that this act fulfills |
1015 | an important state interest. |
1016 | Section 19. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this |
1017 | act, this act shall take effect upon becoming a law. |